Welcome back to the playpen.

Thie Minion image just sums up everything.

Karen

The miracle of love
Will take away your pain
When the miracle of love
Comes your way again.

Furious.

It's the only way to describe how I'm feeling at the moment.  I found out at 16:15 this afternoon that my shift had been changed meaning that I was finishing at 17:30.  When I pointed out that I wasn't happy and that I was expecting to finish at 17:00 as usual, I was told "well I have to work over".

How the hell I refrained from pointing out that the person who made that comment seemed to live to work, I don't know.  Needless to say, I sat at my desk quietly fuming.

And these minons just sum up how I feel today.

Karen

The miracle of love
Will take away your pain
When the miracle of love
Comes your way again.

Not happy

Damn typical of this place.  I have work that I need to do (dratted month end stuff – invoicing - aka “Hell on Earth”) and I get booked for a meeting 9am – 1pm next Tuesday. 

I wouldn’t object – but the person who said I was “free” at this time, didn’t even bother to check with me – just said I would attend the meeting.  It’s well known in the department that the last week of the month you don’t book any meetings / training for me, as I am snowed under sorting out the invoicing for the month, and making sure that nothing is outstanding to cause me problems.

This has been the normal procedure since this person has been in the office, and to say I am unhappy with this is an understatement.  I don’t blame my colleague who told me about this meeting this morning – I am just seriously racked off that no-one thought to check with me first.

So, I will attend the meeting – with a smile on my face, but will make damn sure that the person who said that I was “free to attend” knows my feelings, and that I am attending under protest.

Guess I should call this quits – nearly at the end of my lunch break – let alone my tether this afternoon.


Karen

I tell myself
Hey only fools rush in and only time will tell 
If we stand the test of time 
All I know 
You've got to run to win and 
I'll be damned if 
I'll get hung up on the line

Footnote

I get "asked" if I am OK with the meeting that has been arranged, and when I say I am not due to the invoicing, I am told "tough - it's happening".  If that's the case, then why bother even asking me??

When I try to point out that I do have high priority work that needs to be done at month end, it's swept under the carpet, basically ignoring the fact that I am being pulled in two different directions, and will be under even more pressure to complete the work as well as everything else that I am expected to do.  

Needless to say I am less than impressed, and am very tempted to call a colleague and give them the heads up on this, but I can see that if I did that, I would cause no end of problems with someone who thinks that they know what my workload is

Footnote pt 2

Well, I took the plunge and spoke to my colleague who I usually liaise with over the invoicing, and it turns out that he had been warned of this meeting. I admitted that I wasn't impressed over the timing, but thankfully, there are contingency plans in place to make sure that the invoicing gets sorted out.  I won't say that I am any happier about the meeting, but I feel slightly easier where the invoicing is concerned.

The lurgy has struck... Again.

I feel bloody awful, and it feels like someone has decided to set my lungs on fire.  Yes, it's the dreaded lurgy.

It's been doing the rounds of the office, and people are dropping like flies, meaning that those of us that are daft enough to come in are having to do our own work as well as picking up the work that our colleagues.

So, as I sit here at my computer, I feel like crap.  It's starting to hurt to breathe, and I'm wondering if I should call the vet (OK - my GP practice) tomorrow morning to see if I need to start the antibiotics / oral steroids that I keep as part of  my asthma emergency kit.  I don't want to start taking the antibiotics if I really don't need to take them.

Guess I should call this quits - I've got to drink the blasted hot blackcurrant.  I wouldn't mind, but it's foul!

Karen

You look at me and you weep
For the free blue skies
I look to the stars
As they flicker and float in your eyes
And under these wings of steel
The small town dies

That which does not kill us makes us stronger

In theory.  Instead, it just turns people into human pancakes, or gibbering wrecks.

Why do people insist on sending stupid emails asking for a response when you have already said that you are up to your eyeballs in work (and in some cases, breathing through a snorkel and are just awaiting the arrival of the proverbial seagull)?  All this does is stress people out even further, and adds to an already over the top workload.

It wouldn't be so bad, but I'm getting to the stage where I am going to go bang - and not in a good way.  I'm tired, frustrated and ready to tell someone where to go and shove themselves.  And it's all because someone cannot leave me alone to get on with my work, and insists on updates for every little thing that I am doing.

Ok - not an issue - but this has to be done in writing.  Meaning that I have to take time away from the stuff that I am *supposed* to be trying to sort out, and so putting myself even further behind schedule, and this results in even more grief from people who have asked me to carry out the tasks in the first damned place.

The worst part is, my personal life is suffering, as I am being told by people who mean a heck of a lot to me that I have cut communication with them.  I have - but it's primarily because I am all stressed out, and really do not want to inflict my bad temper on people who do not deserve me going berserk at them.

All I want to do is get back to the way I was this time last year - happy, and relatively stress free, instead of being stressed out of my proverbial head all the damned time.

Time to call this quits - I need to crawl into my pit with the kindle.

Don't know when I'll be back - depends on how stressed out I get.

Karen

You look at me and you weep
For the free blue skies
I look to the stars
As they flicker and float in your eyes
And under these wings of steel
The small town dies

Preparing for another Bank Holiday…

Well, it’s the last day in the playpen for a few days, and I can’t say that I'm going to miss this place.

To say that I am getting to the stage where I need a break is an understatement. I'm heartily sick of the office politics and back stabbing that goes on, and the sooner it gets to 17:00, the better I'm going to feel.

Aside from the stupidity that seems to have become embedded, I'm looking forward to the bank holiday for another reason. I'm seeing my beloved tomorrow (he’s working in the morning, so that means I get to go shopping on my own – more on that in a minute) and am spending some time with Mum.

Tomorrow promises to be great fun, as it will be just about four weeks since I have seen my beloved, and to be honest, I have really missed him. Yes, I know I talk to him on the ‘phone everyday, but to me, that’s not the same as seeing him.

So, because I'm not seeing him until the afternoon, I'm making the most of the time on my own, and am going into Milton Keynes shopping. I’m after a few bits and pieces. Meaning that it’s a trip to La Senza (the bone in my favourite underwired bra broke yesterday, so I’m not happy about that) and I want to go and get a few other bits and pieces whilst I’m down there.

Sunday? Well that’s a day spent with Mum doing various bits & pieces to get ready for our escape at the end of June, and Monday? Well, I’m aiming to head to Leicester with Mum for a look around..

Ah well, guess I should call this quits – I’m supposed to be working, not blogging!

Back when I get chance (most likely Tuesday)

Karen

Now some things you hold on to - and some you just let go
Seems like the ones that you can't have
Are the ones that you want most

Movement orders

Great. I’ve got to move desks. Again. I thought it was too good to be bloody true that I was going to get left where I was.

This was the mail that got sent out with the dratted plan:

In order to integrate more thoroughly the core call takers in our group with those that conduct mainly account administration work, we are having a seating reorganisation.

I have attached a diagram showing the new layout.

We believe we have covered all areas where people need to interact but if we have missed anything, or you have a good business reason why an aspect of this is not appropriate, please let us know.

All being well the move will take place on Good Friday 2nd April.

In preparation for the move would you please take the opportunity to have a good clear up of your work station, we can provide black bin bags if you need.

Now normally, I wouldn’t bitch about the move – my only request on the last move was that I wouldn’t be sitting where my right shoulder would be hit by the downdraft from the air conditioning.

Thankfully, it looks like this has been thought about and I won’t have to worry about the draft.

The only slight grump I have, is that I’ll have to sort my desk out – again. But on the positive side, it will allow me to dispose of a load of junk that I’ve managed to accumulate over the nearly 6 years that I’ve worked here (God, where has that time gone???)

Ah well, I guess that I should get on with some work, but I really am suffering from TNFI, which isn’t good as it’s only Tuesday!

Back later, if I get the chance.

Karen

Now some things you hold on to - and some you just let go
Seems like the ones that you can't have
Are the ones that you want most

Bored on switchboard

Because one of our receptionists has called in sick (the poor kid didn’t look well yesterday) I’ve been sent out here. Don’t get me wrong – I thoroughly enjoy the peace and quiet but I do miss having access to my own e-mails. Plus, it means that I get asked to sort out things out whilst I am out here.

Now this is where the problems start. Simply because when I'm at my desk, I’ve got all the information that I need to hand, and can deal with most problems fairly fast, with minimum fuss. When I'm out here, it’s a different matter. Trying to get people to understand that it’s a dratted nuisance to sort things out here seems to be beyond some peoples’ comprehension.

Why? Because if the switchboard goes, then I have to answer that and deal with any query that arises, no matter how involved that may be, which in turn annoys the person that you were originally trying to help. It’s a no win situation for me.

At the moment though, it’s lovely and quiet – I’ve got the BBC new channel on in the background (which allows me to keep up to date with the news – I'm somewhat of a news junkie!)

Ah well, guess I should call this quits – I’ve got some w*rk to do – worst luck.

Back later…

Karen

Now some things you hold on to - and some you just let go
Seems like the ones that you can't have
Are the ones that you want most

What’s the smegging point?

You send an e-mail around the department in an attempt to prevent problems and no-one appears to take any notice of it. So, when problems arise, it’s muggins here who gets it in the neck.

I mean, what is so difficult about following a simple request? This was the e-mail that I sent originally:

Just a quick request – if you place an order on XXX for tyres that are 28 inches or above, can you please note it on the spreadsheet for XXX, so that they can organise the necessary transport for them.


Many thanks for your help

So, today, I’ve sent the following e-mail, in the vain hope that people might pay attention to it…

Just a quick request – if you place an order on XXX for Ag tyres that are 28 inch or above, or have more that 4 pcs on the order for delivery; can you please make a note on the spreadsheet so that XXX can make sure that the necessary transport is available?


Any problems please let me know!


Many thanks

It remains to be seen if this makes any difference, but at least I’ve tried.

Ah well, guess I should get on with some w*rk, but I’ve got TNFI, and it’s not even 10:30 yet….


Karen


Now some things you hold on to - and some you just let go
Seems like the ones that you can't have
Are the ones that you want most

B*LL*XS!

Just how I feel right at this moment. Due to internal controls in the place where I work, I think I'm about to have an order to go “splut” on me because the transport company had to let the sub contractor go...

Now I’ve been able to process the order, it’s a mad rush trying to get the sub contractor back to the warehouse so that I can get the tyre delivered today, and pray that this doesn’t come back to bite me on the tail.

So, when I get home, it’s going to be a pint of rum with an inch of coke… Or is it the other way ‘round?

Whatever happens, this has put more grey hairs on my head than enough – and I don’t need this amount of stress in my life.

Back when I’m calmer….


Karen

Now some things you hold on to - and some you just let go
Seems like the ones that you can't have
Are the ones that you want most

Order aftermath…

I hate customers. Especially ones that think I'm trying to pull the wool over their eyes. As you can see, I'm not a happy person at the moment. The customer whom I spent so much time and energy trying to sort out, as told me to cancel the bloody order, as he thinks I'm lying to him about the tyre.

The phrase “suit your bloody self comes to mind” but at this moment in time, I'm quietly fuming. But all I can do is swallow my fury, and say “C’est la vie” and let him get on with it and think he’s the big man. I’ve got more important things in my life right now – and this doesn’t deserve any more attention.

Time to call this quits - I need some peace and quiet for a while.

Back later, if I get the chance...

Karen

Now some things you hold on to - and some you just let go
Seems like the ones that you can't have
Are the ones that you want most

A stress less day? I'd love one of those!

It’s one of those days that I can really do without. My beloved horse has injured herself some how, and is now being operated on to repair a bone fracture in her nearside hind leg, and an order is causing me severe stress as well.

The horse first. She showed signs of lameness a couple of days ago, and I found a stone that had bruised her foot. I checked her yesterday morning, and she was holding the nearside rear hoof off the ground, and flinched when I went to get hold of her leg to check the foot. Not a good sign. So, me being me, lead her into the box, and got her comfortable (no fighting from her – she must have realised that I was trying to help her!) and called the vet to come out last night, when I could be there to see what the verdict was. I’d already warned him that she was unwilling to let me touch the leg, so he brought his portable x-ray with him…

That was when the bombshell landed. She’d broken the cannon bone, and it needed surgery. Thankfully, my insurance covers such nasty things, so I called my supervisor, explained that I would be late in today due to a personal matter and left it at that.

The horse ambulance arrived at 08:30 this morning, and we got her loaded with the minimum of fuss, and she left for Newmarket, where the operation is to take place today. I’ll be without her for about a week (subject to how the operation goes) and will just have to take it from there as to what happens after that.

Honestly, I'm really wishing that I’d taken today off – I'm starting to get a migraine, and I know full well that its stress induced.

Back when I get chance...


Karen

Now some things you hold on to - and some you just let go
Seems like the ones that you can't have
Are the ones that you want most

After the Holiday – and looking forward to the New Year

Well, it’s back to the playpen for me. But only for about 2 ½ days, as the powers that be seem to have been supping on the Christmas spirit. Not that I'm complaining at all – the only thing that is bothering me is boredom.

Yes – boredom. Simply because most sensible people are on holiday, and I’ve got very little to do – apart from surf the web, and plan what I'm going to do whilst Mum is in hospital (ok – that’s only an overnight stay) and generally trying (and succeeding) in avoiding work.

Smeg – looks like someone has found me something to do…

Back when I get the chance…

Karen


Now some things you hold on to - and some you just let go
Seems like the ones that you can't have
Are the ones that you want most

London gets snow, and the whole world panics

As you can tell, I’m not exactly a fan of London. There are other parts of the UK that get snow every year, but there is very little fuss made. One flake of snow hits London, and the media goes into meltdown (forgive the pun).

It wouldn’t be so bad if the same criteria was applied to other areas, but no. It’s almost as if other parts of the country don’t matter.

Aside from that particular grump, I’ve had the last two days of my holiday. I’m not saying that I am now all sorted, and ready for Christmas – (Bah Humbug!) but it could be an awful lot worse – I could still have presents to get. Ok – I’ve got one left – my secret Santa gift.

This annual ritual of torment isn’t too bad for me this year, as the person I’ve got to buy for is relatively easy (and I’ve avoided getting the department bitch – don’t think she’d have appreciated the large clockwork key or a sugar dummy!)

Ah well, guess I should get some work done, but I’m suffering from TNFI…

Back later.

Karen

Now some things you hold on to - and some you just let go
Seems like the ones that you can't have
Are the ones that you want most

Feeling like squeak...

And I’m fed up with people taking the Mickey out of me, because all I can do is squeak. Add into that, the fact that I’m just feeling run down, and you get one unhappy little tigger.

Being told by one of my supervisors yesterday, that the powers that be appreciated the fact that I was in, despite having very little voice was nice, but the edge had been taken off earlier in the day by my manager who told me that they couldn’t afford to have me off sick as well, and that I needed to treat the squeak.

Excuse me – I’m not one of these people that think “oh, I’ll have a duvet day – I don’t fancy going into the office today.” If I’m off sick, it’s because I’ve either got an infection that means I’m not fit enough to go in, or I’ve got a migraine that makes me feel banging my head against a wall would be less painful.

As you can tell, I'm not feeling my normal chirpy self, as this cough is really dragging me down. To add insult to my injury, it’s my Godsprog’s birthday today, and I can’t risk going anywhere near the little monster in case I infect her with whatever I have got.

Isn’t life a bitch at times?

Guess I should do some work, but I have a severe case of TNFI – thankfully, there’s only one more day to go before the weekend…

Karen

Now some things you hold on to - and some you just let go
Seems like the ones that you can't have
Are the ones that you want most

And it's not just me...

I personally couldn’t give a rodent’s rectum, as I am away from the playpen for the next few days. I’ve got some vacation time owing to me (we have to get all our vacation used by December 31st) hence the reason for my escape.

I’ve got to sort several things out (one of them being my watch – I’ve had the battery go flat on it, so that needs sorting out) and also prepare the car for the trip to Chester. I went there last year, to the Christmas market (Mum was coughing her lungs out – she’d got the dreaded lurgy) and wasn’t really fit enough to enjoy herself. So, the plan is for the pair of us to spend a couple of days there and just chill out.

Or so the plan is… Whether that actually happens is another matter, as I know that I’ve got one final Christmas present to buy - it’s an HMV gift voucher. Ok – I know that this normally smacks of desperation and normally I’d agree, but for this one person, it’s perfect.

I’m also thanking my lucky stars that I managed to get the waist bag from Kipling that I was after. Unfortunately, I couldn’t get the Jazzy Blue, so I opted for the True Blue instead, as I know that Mum is getting fed up with black all the time. Originally, she’d been looking at a handbag (or more accurately a shoulder bag) but I pointed out that the only time she uses one, is when we are on holiday in Madeira.

Aside from that, I’m all sorted with regards to buying my Christmas presents – that is, if the dreaded Secret Santa isn’t sprung on me when I get back to the playpen. It would be just my luck to get the department bitch, and unfortunately, I don’t think getting a large clockwork key would go down very well…

Ah well, guess I should do some work, but as this is just before I escape for a few days, I’m suffering from a case of TNFI…

Back when I get the chance.

Karen

Now some things you hold on to - and some you just let go
Seems like the ones that you can't have
Are the ones that you want most

The Annual Christmas Do is no more (for this year anyway!)

Oh dear. It looks like the Christmas piss up (I mean departmental dinner) is cancelled for this year, due to a lack of interest. Hardly surprising, when you consider that it was to be help on December 18 (the last Friday before Christmas). I mean, what bright spark came up with that date?

It wouldn’t have been so bad if they’d decided to hold it earlier (like about December 11) but the police will be out in force, and breathalysing people for the slightest driving infringement. Not that I object in the slightest, as I despise people who drink and drive (if I’m honest, I’m amazed that certain people I work with have never been done!)

But what really gets to me, is the mere fact that just because I work with people, I am expected to socialise with them. That’s just the problem. Aside from working with them, I have nothing in common with them.

My interests are totally different, I loathe the soaps and stupid “reality” shows like I’m a celebrity, and am quite happy curling up in the evening with a mug of hot chocolate and a book. Yes, I go out, but I go out with people who are good friends and I have a lot in common with, and more to the point, am willing to spend time with. Most of the people I work with, I would have nothing to do with outside of the office.

But trying to explain that to people without offending them is not the easiest thing in the world, so I just don’t both, and am quite happy to let them think what they like – namely that I am antisocial. I am – where they are concerned. The people who know me, know differently.

Guess I should call this quits – I’m supposed to be working.

Back later…


Karen

Now some things you hold on to - and some you just let go
Seems like the ones that you can't have
Are the ones that you want most

Getting annoyed

There are some days when you just want to throttle the people you work with. And today is one of them.

We’re short staffed as two people are off sick, and one is on holiday (the other supervisor doesn’t count) and the department bitch is trying to throw her weight around. Again.

I wouldn’t have objected to being asked to help her, but she came into the office with a face like a wet weekend, and started going off on one immediately, complaining about all the work that has been left on her desk.

I was trying to sort out my stuff (I deal with end user e-mails amongst other things) and the bitch decided to invade my desk area.

“Karen, I need these putting onto SAP – I’ve got all these price changes to do.”

No please, thank you or kiss my furry. Needless to say, I politely told her that this would have to wait, as I was dealing with my stuff.

“Like what?”

Err – excuse me – she's the same bloody grade as me, so I told her that it wouldn’t take me too long, but I would deal with it after I’d dealt with my stuff, and as she was standing huffing by my desk, I answered my ‘phone.

She stomped off, and I got landed with the orders by my supervisor – whom I told the same thing – my stuff comes first. He was ok with that, and I could see the bitch was itching for another go at me.

Needless to say, she’s been in a foul mood all day, and is trying to make life hell for everyone – as she can’t get her own way. My supervisor has given me a wide berth as well – probably because he knows damned well that I’m going to blast him about the bitch's attitude problem.

My personal thought is that I am employed to do my job – not act as her clean up crew, because she’s too interested in pontificating about things that are nothing to do with her – like what I am working on (or not working on) as the case may be.

Ah well - guess I should call this quits - I've got bits and pieces to sort - and none of it is the bitch's stuff!

Back later

Karen

Now some things you hold on to - and some you just let go
Seems like the ones that you can't have
Are the ones that you want most

E-mail....

This is a wonderful device, but when someone sends an e-mail order to me AFTER I've left the office (and taken the trouble to put my out of office message on), you would have thought that the person concerned would have resent it to someone who could sort it.

But no, not this twiglet, and to add insult to my injury, it's not even my smegging account! It's the department bitch's account, and as this twiglet sends the orders after she's left the office for the day, I'm the one that gets left to sort it out.

As a result, I can see that I’m going to be the one that gets the earache, but as my supervisor says – other people should be copied in on the e-mail. But, I get the feeling that I’m still going to get the evil eye from the bitch, but as I’ve said – not my problem.

***Breaking News*** Twiglet resent the mail – to the other three people who were also off – including the department bitch! Talk about stupidity, as it looks like this got done at 16:50 – we all make a break for freedom at 17:00!

So this is a case of “like I really care?”  Not.

Back later.

Karen

Now some things you hold on to - and some you just let go
Seems like the ones that you can't have
Are the ones that you want most

Still bored.

And wishing that I wasn't in the playpen at the moment.  My shoulder is killing me, and I'm really fed up.  No - make that pissed off.

The departmental bitch is giving me the evil eye everytime I have the misfortune to go near her desk (it's almost as if she doesn't like the fact that I'm doing something she knows nothing about) and she can't bitch about me 'cause I'm working.  (Or so she thinks!)

It's at times like this I can see how things like the Bastard Operator from Hell were dreamt up  (see http://members.iinet.net.au/~bofh/)   I've got to admit, this series has really made me smile, and I can really see how something like this would be dreamt up (especially give the computer literacy of some of the people I have the misfortune to work with!)

I'll give you a small taster of this...

I'm really bored. You know how bored you get when work's going on and on and on, and nothing interesting is happening, and you're listening to a radio that picks up ONE station on FM, and it's always the station with the least records in the city, about 5, and one of them is "You're so Vain" which wasn't too bad a song until you hear it about 3 times a day for a year, and *EVERY* time it plays, the announcer tells you it's about Warren Beaty and who he's currently poking, someone you'll never sniff the toe-jam of, let alone meet, let alone get amourous with. And EVERY time someone mentions Warren Beaty, someone says that he used to go out with Madonna too, and have you seen "In Bed With.."

As you can see - this really appeals to my sense of humour, and the guy who wrote this (Simon Travaglia) is a true genius, with a nice twisted touch.

Ah well, guess I should call this quits - looks like the department bitch is preparing to depart on her broomstick - thank god I'm not on the flightpath!

Back later.

Karen

Now some things you hold on to - and some you just let go
Seems like the ones that you can't have
Are the ones that you want most